Polite to Colleague
Cultural · Gift
ご出産おめでとうございます。ささやかですが、お祝いをお持ちしました。 — Congratulations on the birth. It's a small thing, but I've brought a gift to celebrate. (Cultural · Gift, Polite to Colleague, JLPT N4)
You
ご出産おめでとうございます。ささやかですが、お祝いをお持ちしました。
ごしゅっさんおめでとうございます。ささやかですが、おいわいをおもちしました。
Congratulations on the birth. It's a small thing, but I've brought a gift to celebrate.
Romaji: Goshussan omedetou gozaimasu. Sasayaka desu ga, oiwai o omochi shimashita. / Reply Romaji: Wa, kiyou arigatou gozaimasu. Daiji ni tsukawasete itadakimasu.
Reply
わあ、気を遣わせてしまってありがとうございます。大事に使わせていただきます。
わあ、きをつかわせてしまってありがとうございます。だいじにつかわせていただきます。
Oh wow, thank you for thinking of us. We'll use it with care.
Gesture & etiquette
Hand the gift with both hands, lowered slightly with humility. Bow (20 degrees) when offering. Keep the visit short — the family is still recovering and adjusting. Speak softly if the baby is sleeping. Don't ask to hold the baby unless offered.
Baby gifts (shussan-iwai) in Japan are typically given 1-2 months after birth, once mother and child are settled. Cash in a special envelope (shugibukuro) is common; alternatively, baby clothes, diapers, or quality toys. 'Sasayaka desu ga' (it's a modest gift) is the standard humility phrase. Avoid visiting too early — wait for an invitation or signal from the family.